1996 Beneteau 440 Oceanis Cutlass Bearing removal and installation

[tbeson]

Looking for some time savers or tips to remove the cutlass bearing on 1996 Beneteau 440 Oceanis with 30 mm shaft? The boat is on the hill for a couple of months and want to get ready for next spring.

[MellowMood96]

I replaced mine two years ago from the outside - meaning I didn't pull the shaft. I removed propeller and what I believed to be the old bits, then I drove it in with a pipe. It didn't go in all the way - about a half inch proud. I since think I may not have gotten all of the old bearing out, and that's why it didn't go in all the way. The pipe ended up cutting the rubber flange from me banging on it with a hammer, so I trimmed it off and installed the two set screws and it worked fine for two seasons. Now when I spin the propeller, it is starting to twist/spin the bearing, so I am going to take another crack at it. How did you end up replacing yours? Do you have to pull the shaft? If so, do you have to drop rudder to get shaft out?